KG+D Architects, PC is proud to announce the elevation of five team members to leadership roles in the firm. Sarah Weissman Dirsa, AIA, Brian Mangan, AIA and Travis Schnell, AIA have all been elevated to Associate Principals. They will now be part of the firm’s leadership structure alongside Susan Davidson, Associate Principal, Walter Hauser, AIA – Principal, Erik Kaeyer, AIA – Vice President and Russell Davidson, FAIA – President. Frederick Wells and Marco Mandra have been named Associates. Further supporting the firm’s next generation of leadership, these team members have consistently distinguished themselves through key contributions to major projects and supporting client relationships.
Sarah Weissman Dirsa, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, SEED of Mount Kisco, NY joined KG+D in 2015 as a Project Manager, was promoted to Associate in 2018 and has been named Associate Principal. With a passion for sustainable spaces, Sarah has led the development of the new Pelham UFSD Hutchinson Elementary School as well as award-winning additions and renovations to Brewster CSD’s JFK Elementary School. Sarah has also developed dynamic and collaborative workspaces for Caremount Medical, Chappaqua Crossing and Nice-Pak Products. Sarah was the recipient of a 2015 Young Architects Award from the National component of the American Institute of Architects. Sarah recently represented the firm as an educational facilities design expert for a national program entitled, Re-Imagine America’s Schools where she participated in design workshops to create pilot projects in K-12 schools.
Brian O. Mangan, AIA of Briarcliff, NY joined KG+D in 2008 as an Intern Architect, was named Associate in 2015 and has been named Associate Principal. Brian’s commitment to design excellence is clear through his contribution and leadership for several of the firm’s award-winning projects including the historical preservation and expansion of the Bronxville UFSD’s 1929 auditorium, the adaptive re-use of the former Arden Hill Hospital into a new campus for Orange-Ulster BOCES, a Community Room addition for the Eagle Hill School and transformative renovations to Scarsdale High School that included the addition of a Learning Commons, Design Lab and Fitness Center. Brian’s design skills and project management also was applied to projects for the Wilton Family Y, Greenwich Public Schools, Bedford Hills Community House and Dutchess BOCES.
Travis S. Schnell, AIA of Carmel, NY joined KG+D in 2006 as an Intern Architect, was named Associate in 2013 and has been named Associate Principal. Travis’ experience encompasses a wide range of community centric facilities from religions institutions to recreational clubs from educational facilities to nature centers. Travis has lent his technical and design expertise and leadership to several of the firm’s award-winning projects that involved the complete transformation of existing facilities including the Great Neck Public Library, Shorehaven Golf Club and Rippowam Cisqua School Upper Campus. Travis’ experience also includes the development of a new Ossining Children’s Center, renovations to the Brooklawn Country Club’s main clubhouse and dynamic cafeteria renovations for Darien High School.
Marco Mandra, AIA of Brewster, NY joined KG+D and became licensed in New York State in 2019. As part of the KG+D team, Marco has significantly contributed to the development of new facilities for the Ossining Children’s Center and Dutchess BOCES Salt Point Campus. Marco has also been a key team member involved in the adaptive reuse of the former IBM Campus into an independent school campus.
Frederick P. Wells, RLA of Hopewell Junction, NY joined KG+D in 2019 as a landscape architect and planner and has been named Associate. Fred has over 35 years of landscape design and planning experience in the Hudson Valley Region. As part of the KG+D team, Fred has led the Educational Facilities Plan Update for Yonkers Public Schools as well as collaborating with Yonkers Public schools on the development of a new school. Fred’s landscape design and planning expertise is also being utilized on major projects for Orange Ulster BOCES, Dutchess BOCES and Greenwich Public Schools.
KG+D is proud to recognize these team members who have shaped and supported the firm over their tenures and will each prove to be a significant part of its future bringing renewed vitality and innovation to the firm leadership.